What Is Autism?

There is no one type of autism, but many.

a child playing with blocks

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 36 children in the United States today.

We know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, most influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. The ways in which people with autism learn, think and problem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged. Some people with ASD may require significant support in their daily lives, while others may need less support and, in some cases, live entirely independently.

Several factors may influence the development of autism, and it is often accompanied by sensory sensitivities and medical issues such as gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, seizures or sleep disorders, as well as mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression and attention issues.

Signs of autism usually appear by age 2 or 3. Some associated development delays can appear even earlier, and often, it can be diagnosed as early as 18 months. Research shows that early intervention leads to positive outcomes later in life for people with autism.

* In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association merged four distinct autism diagnoses into one umbrella diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They included autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome

Young child looking up at the camera

Early intervention can change a life.

Research has made clear that high quality early intervention can improve learning, communication and social skills, as well as underlying brain development.

Learn the Signs

Get started with these resources

Are you an adult or teen?

Do you suspect that your feelings and behaviors involve autism? Many people who have autism with lower support needs go undiagnosed until adulthood. Find out more in our "Adult Autism Diagnosis Tool Kit: A guide for identifying autism in adults and figuring out what comes next".

Download the Adult Tool Kit

If you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism.

- Dr. Stephen Shore